Taipei

Introduction

Taipei 101 Building (2)

Taipei (台北 Táiběi) is the capital and largest city in Taiwan with about 10 million people living in the metropolitan area and about 2.7 million in the city proper. It is located in the most northern part of the island at the Tanshui River and is the economical heart of the country. The city is surrounded by hills and mountains and the area is prone to earthquakes as well. The city is still home to the largest skyscraper in the world, Taipei 101, but this won't be the tallest for much longer as the Burj Dubai is set to be completed soon and is already the highest unfinished skyscraper. Still, this building is a remarkable landmark in the city and represents the enormous economical growth of the city during the last decades. For travellers there is enough to see and do to keep you busy for a few days and good hotels, food and transport all make it very easy to visit as well.

Sights and Activities

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 Building (2)

Taipei 101, officially known as the Taipei International Financial Center is one of the tallest building in the world at 508 metres above the ground level. The high skyscraper is located in the Xinyi District of Taipei and is rich in symbolism. For example, it was designed to resemble bamboo rising from the earth and bamboo happens to be a plant recognized in Asian cultures for its fast growth and flexibility. These are ideal characteristics for a financial building. On top of that, the building is also made up of eight sections and eight happens to be a number associated with prosperity in Chinese culture. The observatory in Taipei 101 consists of three sections. On the 88th floor, visitors get to see upclose the tower's wind damper that sways to offset movements in the building caused by strong gusts. The 89th floor is an indoor viewing area, while the 91st floor is an outdoor viewing area, but only open on certain occasions and weather permitting.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall recently renamed as the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall is more or less in the middle of Taipei. The grounds in front of the hall are flanked by both the Taiwan National Theatre and The National Opera House. The hall itself has a museum on the first floor and the second floor used to be the home of a large statue of Chiang Kai Shek. There is also a frequent changing of the guard that is well worth watching. If you are in Taipei visiting the hall is a must. The hall has its own subway stop so getting there is easy.

Events and Festivals

Hungry Ghost Festival - Ghost Festival is a widely celebrated event every summer in Taipei; dates vary every year with festival dates coinciding with 15th night of the 7th lunar month. It is believed that during this month, ghosts and spirits come to linger in the lower realms to visit their families. During this eerie month, many spiritual rituals are performed, and a giant parade leads to the launching of thousands of lanterns into the sky. Locals take this time to burn incense and colorful paper money as offerings to please the wandering spirits.

Dragon Boat Festival - This famous festival is held in Taiwan every year. Thousands gather to watch the dragon boats race through the rivers and lakes. The history of the Dragon Boat Festival is just as interesting as the race itself. Cyu Yuan (circa. 340 - 277 B.C.), a famous scholar, activist, and poet, became a martyr for his political beliefs by jumping off a bridge into a river. Dragon boats were sent out to retrieve his body, and villagers threw rice wrapped in leaves into the water to feed the fish so they would not go after his body. These wrapped rice dumplings, or Zongzih, are very popular today and they're served throughout China. This festival is held on the 5th day of the 5th Lunar month annually.

Taipei Film Festival - Occurring every November, this important film festival attracts Asia's most talented independent film communities. The festival showcases both well-known directors as well as giving a platform to the promising talents of newer filmmakers.

Confucius Birthday (28 Sep 2013) - In honor of Confucius's Birthday, residents of Taipei celebrate the educators and scholars of the nation for Teacher's Day. Speeches are given by government dignitaries and celebrations occur at the famous Confucius Temple. Wisdom cakes and longevity peaches are handed out during the ceremony.

Chinese New Year - The biggest celebration of the year in Taipei. Festivities for this event last for almost a month. Residents celebrate by launching fireworks, throwing parties and parades, and offering each other lucky money, in hopes they will experience good fortune in the New Year. Event dates change every year with the Chinese lunar calendar. The new year typically occurs in late January, early February.

Taipei Famous Lantern Festival - Often held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, this Lantern Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Tourists and visitors from all over Taiwan and nearby countries in the region, all gather to watch this beautiful light display. For this event, the city is illuminated in beautifully colored lanterns, parades are held, fireworks are ignited, and a special holiday food called, Tangyuan (glutenous rice dumpling), are eaten.

Parade of the god of Medicine - During this parade, dancers, religious leaders, and musicians march through the streets dressed in traditional costumes following floats that look like centipedes. More than 100 temples in Taiwan participate in this event annually. Worshippers of this god throw themselves on the ground in front of the parading Centipedes in hopes that they will be trampled and evil spirits will leave their bodies. This festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month, which is believed to be the god of medicine's birthday.

Birthday of Matsu - Matsu is known as the "goddess of the sea", and is celebrated in April (date varies depending on the lunar calendar) each year. Because of the large fishing industry in Taipei, this festival is highly celebrated by locals. Those who worship Matsu, walk in procession to her many shrines around town. (Thousands complete this pilgrimage each year.) For the younger, more tech-savvy residents, respects can also be paid to Matsu through a new iPhone app.

Buddha's Birthday - Celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, this popularly celebrated holiday commemorates the life, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. With a large Buddhist population, Taipei holds many religious celebrations on this day. Worshipers attend temples to bring offerings and gifts to Buddha; other religious cleansing ceremonies are also performed, like the "bathing" of a Buddha statue.

Double Tenth National Holiday Taiwan - The 10th of October (10/10) is celebrated as the birthday of the republic of China, commemorating the uprising Wuch’ang that occurred hundreds of years ago. During this event, visitors can expect to be addressed with speeches from local leaders and politicians, military parades are held, and in the evening, there is a beautiful fireworks display.

Tomb Sweeping Festival - On this day (also known as "Eternal Brightness Day"), it is customary for locals to visit the tombs of deceased family members, light incense, bring offerings, and literally "sweep" the tomb clean. This festival coincides with a civic holiday to allow family members the time off to visit the grave sites.

Youth Day - The event takes place at the Martyr's Shrine, where the president of the Republic of China holds a lavish ceremony that honors the fallen heroes and martyrs of Taiwan's history. This festival is intended to energise Taipei's youth with stories of heroes and their accomplishments.

Taiwan Culinary Exhibition - Held annually in August, this Taiwanese food festival features some of the best regional food available. Critically acclaimed chefs come to prepare their best dishes for those coming to taste at this fun food event.

Double Ninth Festival - Held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, this festival is also called "Height Ascending Festival". This celebration includes the drinking of chrysanthemum wine, the climbing of a mountain or tower, and eating a special cake called "Chongyang".

Weather

The weather is generally hot and humid, although winters can get cold, with temperatures occasionally around 0 °C. Still, Taipei generally has mild winter weather with temperatures normally around 20 °C during the day from December to February and around 12 °C at night. In summer, temperatures average around 30 °C (but well over 35 °C is possible) and this is also the time when the typhoons can hit the island, leaving an enormous amount of rain in some parts of the country as well. The period from October to April is a better time for a visit, compared to the hot and muggy conditions in summer.

Getting There

By Plane

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) near the capital Taipei is the busiest in the country and therefore receives most international flights. In fact, it's in the top 15 of busiest airports in the world when it comes down to handling international passengers. Until 2006 it was called Chiang Kai-shek International Airport.

The national airline is China Airlines which has international flights to many destinations in Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania. Another major international airline in Taiwan is EVA Air, serving slightly less destinations to the same continents mentioned.

To/from the airport:

Rail: until the Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System opens in 2013, the only option is to get a shuttle bus to the Taiwan High Speed Rail Taoyuan Station (THSR), about 8 kilometres away.

By Train

By Bus

Intercity buses arrive and depart from the Taipei Bus Terminal, which is located on Chengde Road, behind Taipei Main Station. Almost every city on the island is served, but trains are usually faster and more comfortable on the longer journeys.

Getting Around

By Public Transport

Taipei's Mass Rapid Transit System (also known as MRT or Metro Taipei) provides public transport by metro/rail in the Taipei metropolitan area, mostly between 5:00am and midnight. One-way tickets are in the NT$20 and NT$65 range. Additionally, buses provide efficient transport in Taipei as well.

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet cafes are plentiful, although you may have to wander around before finding one. Rather, Internet cafes in Taiwan should be called gaming cafes. These are often found on the first or second floor of a building, and equipped with very comfortable chairs and large screens. Each hour of Internet access/game play is cheap, coming in at around $20. For free internet access in big cities, try out the local libraries. In addition, a wireless internet accessing net covering all of Taipei City is available and Kaohsiung City is currently under construction. There is also a common wifi network available at every McDonald's.

Phone

The international calling code for Taiwan is 886. The emergency numbers include 110 (police) 119 (medical, fire) and the standard GSM emergency number 112 is supported in mobile networks. Numbers starting with 0800 are commercial toll-free numbers. Mobile phone coverage is generally excellent in Taiwan, with the exception of some remote mountainous areas. Among the major providers are Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone and Vibo. Taiwan has both GSM 900/1800 and 3G (UMTS/W-CDMA 2100) networks and roaming might be possible for users of such mobile phones, subject to agreements between operators. If you bring your own cellphone, buy a local SIM-card for the lowest prices and be sure your phone is unlocked.

Post

Chungwa Post is the national postal service of Taiwan. It offers fast and reliable postal services, both domestic and internationally. Post offices are generally open from 8:00am to 5:00pm during weekdays, though some keep longer hours or are open on Saturday (morning). Prices for sending postcards or letters (up to 20 grams) start at NT$5 within the country, while postcards by airmail to other countries start at around NT$10-12 per item, and letters are slightly more expensive. There is a wide range in prices regarding international parcel sending, and other companies like DHL, TNT, FedEx and UPS offer similar services.